Mechatronic design, development and characterization of electromagnetically actuated legged robots

Job Reference: DLG-phd-research-position-2017-mechatronic

Abstract

This research position focuses on the mechatronic design, development and characterization of electromagnetically actuated legged robots for applied biomechanical locomotion research.

Description

We offer

a 3 year funded PhD position conducting research on bioinspired legged robot locomotion.

This research position focuses on the mechatronic design, development and characterization of electromagnetically actuated legged robots for applied biomechanical locomotion research.

Background: Understanding legged locomotion in animals is traditionally linked to biomechanically characterizing the animal, i.e. through locomotion and perturbation studies. With this research project we apply running legged robots and their models instead.

Applying legged robots allows us to understand the contribution of individual mechanical and neuromuscular components of dynamic locomotion. Specifically, we are looking at high level locomotion control, intermediate and low level locomotion pattern generation, and contributions due to leg and trunk design. Our research also prepares the foundation for robotic legged machines, i.e. in future search and rescue scenarios.

About us

The Dynamic Locomotion Group is a highly motivated Max Planck Research group at the Institute for Intelligent Systems on the campus Stuttgart in Germany. We offer an excellent research infrastructure, national and international interdisciplinary cooperation possibilities also with experts from Biology and Biomechanics, i.e. MPI IS campus Tübingen, RVC in London.

DLG is participating at the structured PhD program of the new International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS-IS), in collaboration with University of Stuttgart and Tübingen University. Once accepted, PhD candidates are encouraged to join IMPRS-IS.

Salary will be based on previous experience according to TVöD guidelines. An initial PhD contract will be offered for 3 years. The Max Planck Society is committed to employing more handicapped individuals and especially encourages them to apply.

How to apply

Candidates should send the following documents as pdf files by email to sprowitz@is.mpg.de . Please prepare compact files, or provide a link to an online repository. Please state reference “DLG-phd-research-position-2017-mechatronic” in the email subject.

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Our goal is to understand the principles of Perception, Action and Learning in autonomous systems that successfully interact with complex environments and to use this understanding to design future systems